Coca-Cola Canada will expand its existing Minute Maid plant, with an $85-million production facility in Peterborough, Ontario.

The plant, which should come online in 2020, will produce the company’s Fairlife ultrafiltered milk and create create 35 jobs in the region. The plant will be supplied with milk from local dairy farmers in Ontario, Coca-Cola distributes products from fairlife via its Minute Maid brand. The Peterborough Minute Maid facility produces all frozen juice for North America.

“This announcement is a significant step in our journey to be a total beverage company. We are listening to consumers and evolving our business strategy to respond,” stated Shane Grant, President of the Canadian business unit of the Coca-Cola Company.

“To be able to leverage the skilled workforce in Peterborough, build onto the existing platform that we have, and continue the great relationship with that city. That’s why we chose Peterborough,” said Fran Mulhern, Vice-President of Coca-Cola and General Manager of Farm to Table.

“This could’ve gone to a number of other communities in North America, but Peterborough was chosen for its proximity to product and for its stability of services,” added Daryl Bennett, Mayor of Peterborough.
“Dairy farmers in Ontario look forward to working with processors, such as Coca-Cola Canada and Fairlife, to bring further innovation to our growing Canadian dairy industry, and are excited at the opportunity Fairlife presents to expand the dairy category and offer more variety to consumers,” Graham Lloyd, Dairy Farmers of Ontario General Manager & CEO, said.

Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada said, “This new plant in Peterborough will help create jobs, encourage innovation and foster new market opportunities in Ontario and across the country, tapping into the growth potential of Canada’s agriculture and food industry.”